Hail storms can be detrimental to a car. They can cause numerous dents and cracks in windshield glass. You may feel panicked if your car was involved in a hail storm and wonder what steps to take next. It does not have to be as difficult as you might think to file a claim, though. When you apply these practical tips to your situation, you can be on your way to driving your car again in no time. These include contacting your insurance agent, taking the car for an estimate at a body shop and having the needed repairs completed.

Contact Your Insurance Agent

If you have comprehensive car insurance, you should immediately contact your insurance agent after a hail storm. Explain the situation and get further clarification about how to file a claim. The insurance company will likely want pictures of the vehicle as well as an estimate of what the repairs will cost. This allows the company to decide if the car should be repaired or classified as totaled.

Take the Car for an Estimate at a Body Shop

The next step is to find a body shop that offers hail damage repair Denver CO. The body shop may keep your car for a couple days in order to take pictures and record data to see how much repairs will cost. They should then present you with an estimate that you can present to your insurance company. Keep in mind that if you do not have comprehensive coverage, you will be responsible for paying for repairs on your own. Make sure that you ask what the policy is about payment so that you are prepared to make the arrangements.

Have Needed Repairs Completed

Once you have the insurance company’s approval or the funds needed to pay for the repairs on your own, you can proceed with getting the car fixed. It may take a few days for the repairs to be done (depending on how severe the damage is), so you may want to consider renting a car for a while. Some car insurance policies have rental insurance as part of the coverage, so make sure that you find out if your plan does.

While it can be frustrating to have your car damaged in a hail storm, you can make the repair process as simple as possible when you follow these tips. If you have not already, contact your insurance or body shop to get started on this process.